Spring Break!

Hi everyone! You might've seen me around a bit the past couple weeks and caught on to my story. For those that haven't though, I am a first-time owner who just got a bp on Sunday. Things have been pretty good so far, but I have a new concern; spring break. I am a junior in college and our break is not next week but the one after, right about when my little girl will finally be settled in to her new home. Now, I live 4 1/2 hours away from school, and it really doesn't seem like the best option to uproot her this soon and make her spend 9 hours in a car and a week in a different house. I figured it'd be fine every once in a while for the summer or winter breaks, or when she's more comfortable with me, but I don't want to do this to her now. Usually, I would ask the owner of the barn where I keep my horse to watch my fish or whatever if necessary, but unfortunately she is very afraid of snakes. So, suggestions? Will she be ok with the trip? Should I try and find somebody up here to keep an eye on her for a week? Am I best off staying in my apartment for the break (I wouldn't be opposed to this as my home life really does suck the past year or so, ahaha.)? Let me know what you guys think! Thanks in advance!

I'm old and unsociable but I vote for staying put and enjoying a week of peace and quiet

I'd vote for staying put if you're not too excited about going in the first place.

If you do decide to go, I would probably set up a temp tub. Everything you need in one tub. Keep the tub on the passenger seat next to you while you drive. It's not ideal, but it won't cause any harm.

What I have personally done for vacations is find someone with a pretty decent intelligence level (which can be pretty hard in a modern university system actually :rofl:) and make sure they're not afraid of snakes. Have them change the water bowl every day and properly close the cage back up.

In a week's time you can get away with not changing the substrate and feeding..... but you cannot get away with a lack of fresh water. There should be no issues if your heating/humidity requirements are properly met.

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Originally Posted by c0r3yr0s3

I'm old and unsociable but I vote for staying put and enjoying a week of peace and quiet

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I second this.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by c0r3yr0s3

I'm old and unsociable but I vote for staying put and enjoying a week of peace and quiet

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I third this!

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Originally Posted by purpleroan

Hi everyone! You might've seen me around a bit the past couple weeks and caught on to my story. For those that haven't though, I am a first-time owner who just got a bp on Sunday. Things have been pretty good so far, but I have a new concern; spring break. I am a junior in college and our break is not next week but the one after, right about when my little girl will finally be settled in to her new home. Now, I live 4 1/2 hours away from school, and it really doesn't seem like the best option to uproot her this soon and make her spend 9 hours in a car and a week in a different house. I figured it'd be fine every once in a while for the summer or winter breaks, or when she's more comfortable with me, but I don't want to do this to her now. Usually, I would ask the owner of the barn where I keep my horse to watch my fish or whatever if necessary, but unfortunately she is very afraid of snakes. So, suggestions? Will she be ok with the trip? Should I try and find somebody up here to keep an eye on her for a week? Am I best off staying in my apartment for the break (I wouldn't be opposed to this as my home life really does suck the past year or so, ahaha.)? Let me know what you guys think! Thanks in advance!

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If you just got your BP and she is still settling, I would not recommend moving her. Some snakes, even some BP's will eat anything anywhere and anytime. Not my experience with BP's, but BCI's and Corn snakes, absolutely.

I would stay put, or find someone else, who is snake friendly, to watch her.

BP's like stability as much as possible.

Has she eaten for you yet? How old is the snake? How much does she weigh?

I would get at least 3 consecutive meals in her before you start regular handling, let alone moving the snake to another location for a week, and then back again.

Just my thought process, and I am often over cautious. However, that is what I would do.

Good question and smart to ask.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts!! It is quite tempting to just stay here for a week and I would do it in a heartbeat if I didn't have the guilt of not visiting my parents hanging over me, haha.

@dakski, she has been in shed since I got her so I have not attempted a meal. Her eyes are clearing up though as of yesterday so I'm expecting a shed within the next couple days and I will feed shortly thereafter. Her previous owner has been extremely helpful and honest with me though, so when she tells me she eats like a monster and never refuses a meal under normal circumstances (not in shed, etc) I am inclined to believe her. I forgot to ask an age but I will reach out to the woman and see what I can find...she actually got her from a breeder as a package deal and sold her because she didn't need the chocolate genetics. However, she's about 300g I was told and I will be getting a scale for myself very soon! She's just under two feet and very robust, so take from that what you will. Thanks for your opinion and insight!!

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Originally Posted by purpleroan

Thank you everyone for your thoughts!! It is quite tempting to just stay here for a week and I would do it in a heartbeat if I didn't have the guilt of not visiting my parents hanging over me, haha.

@dakski, she has been in shed since I got her so I have not attempted a meal. Her eyes are clearing up though as of yesterday so I'm expecting a shed within the next couple days and I will feed shortly thereafter. Her previous owner has been extremely helpful and honest with me though, so when she tells me she eats like a monster and never refuses a meal under normal circumstances (not in shed, etc) I am inclined to believe her. I forgot to ask an age but I will reach out to the woman and see what I can find...she actually got her from a breeder as a package deal and sold her because she didn't need the chocolate genetics. However, she's about 300g I was told and I will be getting a scale for myself very soon! She's just under two feet and very robust, so take from that what you will. Thanks for your opinion and insight!!

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Makes sense not to offer in shed.

At 300G, she can probably go a week or two without food (or much longer) no problem.

I am more concerned that she hasn't eaten for you yet and the stress of moving her may prolong that.

Some BP's eat like pigs, and quickly, while others take some time to acclimate.

She may have eaten great for the person you bought her from, but you are relying on them, and she might feel different in this new environment.

I get the parent guilt thing. However, tell them you are a parent now too! LOL :).

I reiterate that you should stay with her, as much as possible (maybe make a shorter trip to see the folks), and make sure she has a good shed and starts eating regularly for you.

However, it's your call, and this is a judgement free zone.

Again, good you asked the question, and care enough and are thoughtful enough to ask and think of it.

You are going to do fine!

Well, after a lot of thought and weighing pros and cons I decided to leave today (midway through break) and stay someplace slightly closer than my house with my SO, just to get away from school AND home! Lol. It gave her more time to adjust than if I left for all of break, and me more time to get some meals in her. She's enthusiastically eaten twice for me and had a great shed the past couple weeks and just seems like an all around relaxed girl, so I decided to take the chance. We reached our destination last night and she is doing well so far, no signs of stress and seems normal as far as I can tell so I'm hoping this is as easy on her as possible! I attached some cute photos from when we stopped at the gas station so I could swap out her heat packs. My bf and I were sweating our butts off the entire way from keeping the heat cranked but it was worth it for her [emoji28]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3255deefe8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...72bd01fbd1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...30f7b9c63e.jpg


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sounds like your lil BP is doing great w/ u guys!

just a word of caution for car trips - make sure your snake is really, really secured. keep it close and don't let it roam too much. the last thing is u don't want your BP to get stuck in the dash like this: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...=1#post2390236 (link to thread and vid) there was another person who had their BP get stuck under a seat and had it's skin torn by a sharp metal edge. just a friendly reminder. have fun, be safe!

@Ax01 That's awful [emoji15] At least it ended alright. She was very secure the whole time, just out for a minute or two to give her warmer packs. But it is a good reminder...their curiosity gets them in some tight spots ahaha.


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Update: Just 24 hours after returning home and the completion of her 10 hour total road trip she's chilling in her tub and taking mice like a champ. I love how easy this girl is!


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